Who’s that Girl?

I remember a statement I heard way back; a teacher of the word was speaking to single men in the congregation and he was saying to them that most are still single today because they focus on the outward appearance of ladies only. He went on to say to them that all we see externally can all be bought and they are all additions. By that he meant a woman you see during the daylight has been modified and different from the one that you see when she is about to go to bed. So during the day, the hair extensions, eyelash extensions, body magic and enhancers, make-up etc has transformed this being to something remarkable but at night, when she goes to bed, all those things come out and the real woman, either in a head wrap, or tie or scarf, all make up off is what you truly see and that is truly who that person is.

I have been humbled by the study in character and person of Mary (Not the mother of Jesus nor the Mother of James and John). One of the interesting discoveries is finding out which Mary was the nameless woman who was the sinner that had 7 demons cast out of her; which Mary was the one that used her expensive oil on Jesus; which Mary is the one who sat at Jesus’s feet to hear him teach the word, and is the sister to Lazarus. Are they one of the same people or are they different people? Is the Mary of Magdala different from the Mary of Bethany (where Lazarus and his sisters lived)?

Who is that Girl? That after it all, was the one that saw Jesus on the day he resurrected? Who is that Girl? That no matter how people thought she wasted her most valuable possession (oil) to anoint the feet of Jesus, she didn’t mind because she clearly understood what Jesus did in her life. Who is that Girl? That chose to sit and listen to Jesus rather than the way of the world.

This Mary was a write off by people but Jesus re-wrote her history. She had a heart filled with love and gratitude and ensured she gave more than she received. In the human eyes, she was a sinner and the bible recorded the demons that were cast out of her where representatives of sins. But look, she was there when Jesus was crucified, she was there as part of the women that ministered to Jesus and his disciples and even was there during the resurrection, she saw the risen Christ!!

One of my many learnings from this study is that when one truly recognizes what has been done for them, the gratitude and appreciation they give is more than commensurate to what they have received. It doesn’t matter who the girl was or is (in some lifes today), what matters is that this person encountered Jesus Christ and where men thought she was a no good, Jesus saw her as a change maker.

Encountering Jesus should be an upward progression. Reminding ourselves of what Jesus has done renews our understanding and our gratitude for the price he paid with his blood. This Mary showed a remarkable change in her life, church, friends, family and community just by her impact with Jesus. She is now the Girl who is with Jesus in Glory.

As we ask or try to figure out who that girl was; we also need an inward evaluation of who we truly are.

Further Study: Luke 8vs 2-3, Luke 7 vs 37, John 12 vs 1-3, John 20 vs 1-18

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Friends, Finding Jesus starts with a simple prayer, say this aloud with me;

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Find out more about the new life with our Finding You Series

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